Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-09
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA,
Surprising Progress Made by This Por-
ton of the State.

e. F. Call, February sth.l
w. II. Mills, the well-known land agent
OF the Central Pacific Railroad Company.
returned on Saturday last from an extended
tour through Southern California. He is
surprised at the wonderful progress made
lately IN that part of the country, and in
conversation with a Call reporter yesterday
stated his views somewhat as follows:
The Immigration into the southern por-
ton OF this State is the most remarkable
movement of population perhaps that has
ever occurred upon this continent. 1t is re-
markable both as to its extent and the
character of the immigration. 1t is larger
IN volume and far more significant than
has ever before been even apprehended by
the people of upper and middle California
II contains perhaps the largest proportion
OF wealthy people that has emigrated from
populous region and settled in a sparsely
populated district. There are sections of
Los Angeles county under a'higher state of
cultivation than may be found elsewhere in
the United States. Pasadena, San Gabriel.
Santa Ana and Tustin City may be
cited as instances of the most attractive
cultivation that may be seen in any
country. A very large majority of the
people coming to the southern portion of
the State belong to the wealthy and we'll
TODD classes. They are purchasing small
holdings, chiefly with the intention of the
establishment which the cultivation of
citrus fruits and semi-tropical plants con-
fers upon a home. The price asked for
land has long since lost all reasonable rela-
ton with the value of its product but for
the most part, the purchasers care little for
these things. The cultivated portions of
Los Angeles county present a most attrac-
tive appearance to the stranger, especially
to the residents of the northern ATTITUDES
and the influx of population has received
such momentum that there is scarcely q
probability of its subsistence for many
years. The activity in the real estate mar
ket is such as has never been witnessed in
any portion of California before. In Pas
adena, for illustration, there is a greater
number of houses in process of erection
than are already occupied, and in major
ity of instances the completed and pro-
jected improvements range from elegant
and comfortable to costly and luxurious
The population of some of the most ia
vored localities in Los Angeles county
comprises, perhaps, a larger proper
ton of the wealthy and retired
class than can be found among the
same number of people elsewhere in
the country. Such communities as Pasa-
dena. San Gabriel Santa Ana, Pomona and
Tustin present continued succession of
elegant country residences, surrounded by
orchards, vineyards and ornamental
grounds, comforting upon the country the
most attractive rural aspect. The city of
Los Angeles is the natural center of a new
commercial, social, political and industrial
system. 1t has already mastered the posi-
ton of metropolitan center for a large
commercial, agricultural and industrial
area. 1t is crowded to OVERLOOKING with
visitors and intended residents. The rapid
rise in the value of real estate has been so
attractive to investment that capital can
scarcely be interested in the construction of
houses. Its present hotel accommodations
are grossly inadequate to the demand, and
though in many instances the high rates
asked for real estate may be deemed to be
out of all proportion to prospective future
values, the continued growth of the city
will be healthful and rapid. The immigra-
ton is in all respects remarkable move
ment of population, and, when rightly con-
sidered, is of the highest significance to all
portions of this State.
Speaking of the high values at which
landed property is held in the vicinity of
Los Angeles and Pasadena, Mr.. Mills said
that it was quite apparent that the volume
of immigration was not being appreciably
checked by the high valuation placed upon
land that the doom" as it is termed, in
property had not created the immigration,
but on the contrary, the immigration had
created the "boom''-they were things
quite distinct and apart from each other ;
that if the Doom were to break, and the
price OF real property recede, the immigra-
ton would be promoted rather than him
dered. 1t seems marvellous that land ordi-
dinarily situated will sell for $3.50 per
acre, when one with half an eye can see
that il has no productive capacity TO justify
the investment, but the purchaser says he
wants the piece of land, and, being able to
pay for it, buys it. To any criticism about
the business sagacity of the investment ne
replies If you want your portrait painted
by good artist, the cost may exceed 81 900,
but you do not expect per cent. from the
picture. A man that spends 81 100000 for
a mansion on Mob Hill in San Francisco
does not expect to get the interest on the
money invested" The same rule applies
to the purchase of land in the southern
country. If the newcomer wants a home
around which will grow orange groves,
palm and pepper trees, and the place suits
him, he will buy it, not for an investment,
but as a place to live and rest, and where
his kinsfolk and treasures in art and litera-
ture may surround him.